ROME, April 15 (Reuters) - Franco-Italian automaker Stellantis ( STLA ) said on Wednesday its global shipments rose 12% year-on-year in the first quarter to an estimated 1.4 million vehicles, consolidating a sales rebound that started in the second half of 2025.

CEO Antonio Filosa, appointed last year, is focusing on regaining market share as part of turnaround efforts for a company that posted a net loss of 22.3 billion euros ($26.3 billion) last year.

He is due to unveil a new industrial plan on May 21.

The latest increase in shipments was primarily driven by North America, where they were up 17% to 379,000 vehicles, and the wider European region, where they increased by 12% to 637,000 vehicles, Stellantis ( STLA ) said.

In South America, the third-largest market for the group, they rose 4% to 219,000 vehicles.

In the Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa regions, where Stellantis ( STLA ) has a smaller footprint, shipments were up respectively by 15% to 15,000 vehicles, and 11% to 111,000 vehicles.

Stellantis ( STLA ) noted that in Gulf Cooperation Council countries - heavily affected by the ongoing Iran war - shipments more than halved to around 3,000 vehicles.

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